Washboard



Patented Jan. 14,1896.

F. A. SCHLTZ. WASHBOARD.

@y ajlirgeys,

(No Model.) l

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK A. SCHULTZ, OF MIDDLETOVN, CONNECTICUT.

WASHBOARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 553,136, dated January 14, 1896.

.replication ned June 21, 1895.

State of Connecticut, have invented a new' and useful VVashboard, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in washboards.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of Washboards, and to provide a simple,inexpensive,and efficient one which will facilitate the operation of washing, lessen the labor, and prevent injury to the fabrics.

A further object of the invention is to enable the friction to be regulated and to render the parts adjustable to take up the wear.

The invent-ion consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a washboard constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of one side of the washboard, illustrating the manner of mounting the rolls. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional vicW of one ofthe adjusting-screws and the cushioning-spring.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the iigures of the drawings.

1 designates similar side bars of a washboard-frame, connected near their lower ends by a transverse bar 2, and at their upper por tions by a soap-supporting board 3 and a top bar 4. The side bars are provided at their vinner opposite faces with longitudinal grooves or recesses 5, receiving a pair of adjustable bars 6, provided at intervals with tapered bearings 7, and having mounted on them a series of transverse rolls 8, forming the rubbing-surface of the washboard, and disposed in the space between the soap-supporting board 3 and the transverse bar 2. The rolls 8 are provided at their ends with metal-bearings 9,having conical bearing-recesses for the reception of the journals 7', and the latter are preferably formed integral with the adjustable bars (i, which are constructed of metal `Serial No. 553,580. (No model.)

or other suitable material. The ends of the transverse rolls 8 are held out of contact with the side bars 1 of the washboard-frame by the adjustable bars, and friction from such contact is prevented. The adjustable bars are provided at intervals with outwardly-extending lugs 10, provided with threaded sockets and arranged in openings 11 of the sides 1 of the washboard-frame and engaged by screws 12. The screws 12 are provided at their outer ends with heads and pass through perforations of plates 13, and spiral springs 14 are arranged within the openings 11 and disposed on the screws 12 and operate to hold the adjustable bars in contact with the ends of the transverse rolls. The plates 13 are secured to the outer faces of the side bars 1 of the washboard-frame and serve to swivel the adj usting-screws, and the latter are adapted to draw the adjustable bars outward against the action of the spiral springs to regulate the friction, and also operate to permit the adjustable bars to move inward, to take up any wear on the ends of the transverse rolls. This construction also facilitates ready removal and rapid replacement of the transverse rolls, and as the rubbing-surface becomes worn or injured it may be readily repaired.

lt will be seen that the washboard is simple and comparatively inexpensive in construction, that the rollers render the rubbing operation easy, and enable the same to be performed with a minimum amount of labor, and that theyserve during the operation of washing to bring the soap directly on them con tinually in contact with the clothes. It will also be apparent that the parts are adjustable to take up wear and to regulate the friction, and that one or more rollers may be readily replaced when desired. Furthermore, the springs which engage the adjustable bars afford a yielding engagement to compensate for any inequality in the rolls.

Changesin the form, proportion, and the' minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

1. In a wash-board, the combination of a frame, a series of transverse rolls forming the IOO adjusting screws mounted on the sides of the frame and connected with the adjustable bars, and springs engaging the adjustable bars and adapted to force the same inward, substantially as described.

In testimonjT that I claim the foregoing as my oWn I have hereto afiixed my signature in 2o the presence of two Witnesses.

FREDERICK A. SCI-IULTZ.

Witnesses:

CHAs. A. PELTON, HENRY C. HILL. 

